New Strings?

worz

Hi All,

I want to get a new set of stings for my Tanglewood TW173 parlour guitar. Any recommendations, I like a mellow sound. I have no idea what I have on at the moment, just what it came with from new.
Are they pretty easy to fit?

Toasty

I use Dean Markley acoustic guitar strings. Quite easy to fit on mine, which looks similar to the Tanglewood. You may want to try and find out what gauge (string thickness) came with yours for reference.

worz

Mine seem to come with these as standard D'Addario EXP-11 Strings.
I will check the Malarky's out.
Jeez there are an awful lot of variations!

BT Bob

I'm not a fan of coated strings, like the EXPs.

d'Addario do some great Phospor Bronze strings (the EJ15s sound fantastic on my Yamaha, for example) so may be worth a look - they're about 1/2 the price of the EXPs too.

There's some good videos on YouTube to tell you how to change your strings.

Alty08

We use Ernie Ball Earthwoods on the 'warm' guitars, which one of them is a Tanglewood, yeah it's easy changing strings, my 13yr old Daughter does her own so just have a look on YT as Bob says.

Although, forgot to say that currently trying some Martin Strings on my TW and a bit bright for me at first but after a week or so, warmed up nicely, for me that is, but maybe an idea to try....I'll try and dig out the old Packet to say which particular ones, 11's but not sure what type.

[They are M175's]

RBZ5416

I have a set of Martin M535s I won't be using if you want them? They're 11s so a gauge lighter than you have at present.

Recommend you pick up a string winder with a bridge pin extractor to make life easier.

the_jinj

You could try Martin M540 or Darco D5100 (cheaper but same strings as the M540s). Used both and great sounding. Just armed a set of Martin Marquis with silk something or other as usual supplier was out of 540s and sent them instead. About double the price but not sure if double the sound quality, we'll see lol

worz

Thanks for all the recommendations, but after deciding there was to much choice. I went with the same as it came with. Very disappointed with the results, the guitar now sounds horrible. I can't bear to play it.
My nephew used to prefer playing my guitar to his new Taylor baby due to not liking its bright sound compared to mine, I now know what he means.
Thanks for the offer croc, do you think they would be more mellow than the D'Addario's? I am guessing not as they are lighter gauge? If you do then i will take you up on your offer please, I have a spare set of the D'Addario's if you want a swap?

RBZ5416

They're certainly deeper than what was on there before, trouble is I can't recall what they were! PM me your address & give them a go, you have nothing to lose. If you like them I'll take the D'addarios off you & if not, keep them to swap back.

hyperfish

I'm sure you know this but the initial brightness may drop off by stretching and playing?